Paste applicator



July 3, 1956 W. R. BELL PASTE APPLICATOR Filed March 1, 1954 If PI. 1 l4 5 I fi- T /7 A l i INVENTOR. Mum/v 26x BELL.

2,752,624 PASTE APPLICATOR Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 412,975 Claims. (Cl. 15-128) This invention relates to a liquid or paste applicator, particularly adapted to spread a film of liquid, such as paste, over a large surface by a reciprocating action.

The applicator of this invention, although useful for other purposes, is particularly adapted to spread paste on large area outdoor posters. Ordinarily outdoor posters are applied by using a short or long handled brush to spread the paste on the face of the board and then mounting or ailixing the poster thereon and smoothing it in pasted position with a dry brush. This invention contemplates a preapplication of paste to the backside of the poster by means of the applicator here disclosed before the poster is transported to the job. The paste having been applied to the backside of the poster by the applicator, the pasted surfaces are then folded onto themselves for convenient handling and transporting to the location, much in the same manner as wall paper is first processed on a cutting table, folded and then applied to the wall. in this manner, it is unnecessary to transport the paste tank or bucket, paste brush and the like, and apply the paste directly to the front face of the board as now practiced.

The particular object of this invention is to provide a suitable large area paste applicator by means of which a film of paste may be applied over the back surface of a poster supported on a suitable table or the like, there being a continuous supply of paste from a reesrvoir to be spread and smoothed over the surface by running the applicator thereover in a forward direction, and then back again over the same surface in the opposite direction. Not only is the paste evenly spread and quickly applied by means of this instrument, but there are no bristles or brushes to get gummed up and require cleaning or treatment, or otherwise cause the paste to be partially or unevenly spread.

The invention, therefore, contemplates an applicator having a hollow handle in valve controlled communication with a reservoir through which the paste may be continuously passed and controlled by air pressure, the hollow handle providing a conduit for the paste communicating with a spreading manifold from which a series of flexible plastic tubes extend to evenly and smoothly discharge the paste over the surface, the manifold and tubes being oscillatable for trailing at an angle over the surface according to the direction of movement and in the manner hereinafter more particular disclosed.

By the use of this applicator and method of applying the paste, the fibres of the paper are caused to absorb the moisture from the paste, pre-expanding the fibres so that the poster may be aflixed to a panel without creating wrinkles as it dries.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the applicator.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the spreading manifold and a portion of the handle.

States Patent 0 Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of one end of the spreading manifold with a portion thereof shown in central vertical cross section, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings there is shown an applicator comprising a tubular handle 10 rigidly secured at one end to a bail 11 and reinforced by the side struts 12 connected with said handle and bail, respectively. The bail is provided at opposite ends with laterally extending bearing straps 13 integral therewith, all providing an operating handle structure. Between the bearing straps the spreadsecured by the screws 19.

To permit of oscillation between the manifold with its skids and the handle structure, while providing a conduit for the passage of paste or the like there is a flexible rubber hose 20 having one end connected with a nipple 21 on the handle and the other end connected with a nipple 22 secured to and communicating with the spreading manifold 14. At the other end of the handle there is source of paste or liquid supply so indicated at 25. The liquid or paste is cause to flow from the reservoir 25 through the control valve 23, through the handle and tube 20 into the manifold by air pressure or suitable means.

The manifold is provided with an in-line series of closely spaced nipples 26 threaded therein to extend radially therefrom. Securely telescoped on there is a flexible plastic length of the manifold, each terminating at its opening end on a line between the annular skid peripheries which is parallel to the manifold axis. Extending outwardly from one of the skids 15 in parallel relation with the axis of oscillation of the manifold there is a pair of stop pins 28 and 29 which straddle the adjacent bearing strap 13 of the handle structure for Then, the pins 28, 29 limit the oscillation of the manifold with its skids in either direction by engagement with said strap. Said stop pins are spaced relative to the strap and the in-line tubes 27 in the manner shown in Fig. 2. This spacing is such that when the tubes project downwardly and vertically relative to the surface to be applicated, the pins are in the position shown in Fig. 2, equally spaced from the strap 13. The angular relation of the pins may be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the oscillation.

underside of the strap tubes will extend in a trailing paste applying direction, as indicated in dotted lines at a (Fig. 2). Upon the movement of the applicator being reversed or thrown in the opposite direction, the manifold and skids will be oscillated until side of the strap l3, swinging the tubes 27 to their opposite trailing position, as indicated by dotted lines b (Fig. 2). In the trailing position of the paste exuding tubes, paste will be caused to will occur during the return stroke of the applicator with the tubes thrown to their opposite trailing position. Upon closing the valve 23 following an application, the flow of paste will be discontinued due to lack of exuding pressure.

It may be noted that as the applicator is pushed or pulled over the surface of the paper, "it "lays down a series of adjacent ribbons of paste containing the proper amount of water for pre-moistening of the fibres of the poster paper. By laying the paste down ina series of adjacent ribbons, when the sheet is folded with the pasted side in, the ribbons of paste are pressed together so as to become flattened and extended sidewise until they meet, giving a continuous coating of paste on the backside of the poster when applied to the board. Thus, the in itial spreading in ribbon form results in an even distribution of the paste coating over the entire back surface of the poster before mounting.

The invention claimed is:

l. A liquid spreading applicator comprising a tubular spreading manifold, an in-line series o'f'flexible spreading tubes extending radially therefrom, a tubular handle pivotally connected with the ends of said manifold, a hexible hose connecting said handle and manifold through which a supply of liquid may pass for discharge from said tubes, and oscillating members secured to opposite ends of said manifold in concentric relation thereto positioned for surface engagement to oscillate said manifold to tube trailing position when the applicator is applied in either direction.

2. A liquid spreading applicator comprising a tubular spreading manifold, an in-line series of flexible spreading tubes extending radially therefrom, a tubular handle pivotally connected with the ends of said manifold, a flexible hose connecting said handle and manifold through which a supply of liquid may pass for discharge from said tubes, and an annular skid secured to each end of said manifold in concentric relation thereto having an outer annular bearing surface extending substantially in line with the discharge ends of said tubes positioned for surface engagement to effect oscillation of said manifold and tubes to swing said tubes to trailing position when the applicator is applied in either direction.

3. A liquid spreading applicator comprising a tubular spreading manifold, an in-line series of spreading tubes extending radially therefrom, a tubular handle structure pivotally connected with the ends of said manifold, a flexible hose connecting said handle and manifold through which a supply of liquid may pass for discharge from V 4 said tubes, an annular skid secured to each end of said manifold in concentric relation thereto having an outer annular bearing surface extending substantially in line with the discharge ends of said tubes positioned for surface engagement to effect oscillation of said manifold and tubes to swing said tubes to trailing position when the applicator is applied in either direction, and a pair v of spaced outwardly extending stop pins carried by one of said skids engageable with said handle structure for limiting said oscillation and the trailing position of said tubes.

4. A liquid spreading applicator comprising a tubular spreading manifold, an annular skid secured to each end of said manifold in concentric relation thereto positioned for surface engagement, a tubular liquid supplying handle including a bail pivotally connected to each end of said manifold and skids, a pair of spaced stop pins projecting from one of said skids for alternate engagement with said bail to permit limited oscillation of said manifold by said skid, a flexible hose connection between said handle and manifold to permit passage of liquid during said 0s cillation, and an in-line series of flexible plastic liquid discharge tubes extending radially from said manifold movable upon the limited oscillation thereof to a trailing liquid applicating position when the applicator is applied in either direction.

5. A liquid spreading applicator comprising a tubular spreading manifold, an annular skid secured to each end of said manifold in concentric relation thereto positioned for surface engagement, a tubular liquid supplying handle including a bail pivotally connected to each end of said manifold and skids, a pair of spaced stop pins projecting from one of said skids for alternate engagement with said bail to control the oscillation of said manifold by said skid, a flexible hose connection between said handle and manifold to permit passage of liquid during said oscillation, an in-line series of flexible plastic liquid discharge tubes extending radially from said manifold movable upon the limited oscillation thereof to a trailing liquid applicating position when the applicator is applied in either direction, a source of liquid supply, and a valve connecting said source with said handle to controllably feed liquid therethrough to said manifold and tubes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

